Central Michigan football is in need of an offensive coordinator after Mike Cummings has accepted a position as the offensive coordinator and tight-end coach for the University of Connecticut.

Cummings has spent the last four years at CMU as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He joins a fresh UConn under new head coach Bob Diaco who held a press conference Wednesday to introduce his new staff.

"Mike and I have been close friends and colleagues at multiple universities for a very long time," Diaco said. "He's a great guy, he's got a great family and we have the same DNA as it relates to how we like to treat young men and teach and coach and how passionate we are about this game. Along the same lines with coach Mike, he'll work with the tight ends and be the offensive coordinator."

In 2012, the Chippewas produced a No. 2 ranked 6.2 yards per play and nearly 400 yards of offense per game. Fueled by a resurgent running game in running back Zurlon Tipton, who rushed for a career milestone 1,492 yards, the offense was supplemented by a strong offensive line including Eric Fisher.

Fisher became the highest NFL draft pick in MAC and program history when he was selected No. 1 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in April 2013. Cummings helped develop Fisher from a relative unknown at the beginning of the season to the most desirable NFL prospect after his standout performances at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Cummings has coached four All-MAC offensive linemen. Colin Miller and Jeff Maddux were both named to the 2010 All-MAC Second Team, while Eric Fisher was honored on the All-MAC First Team in 2012.

Last season, he oversaw junior receiver Titus Davis’ career year in which Davis pulled in 61 receptions for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns. The Chippewas ended with a 6-6 season and no bowl appearance.

Cummings has a long history with Central Michigan, beginning his fourth coaching stint in 2010. He was the Chippewas offensive line coach from 1992-97 and 1999, and a graduate assistant at CMU during the 1988 and 1989 seasons. Cummings coached seven All-MAC honorees during his previous stints at CMU.

He has also built a diverse résumé in the state with coaching experience at Michigan State, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan. Cummings spoke to his time with WMU being applicable to the offense he wishes to build at UConn.

"The way we had (Western Michigan) built is very similar to what we have right now in terms of personnel," Cummings said in a press conference Wednesday. "One of the things we really did was run the football. Obviously, when you run that football, you need to be balanced to use the run to set up a play-action pass. You have to be able to do those things and take your shots."